Cheers! Senate relaxes beer tasting room rules

Drive led by San Diego breweries

The state Senate approved legislation Thursday that will make it easier and cheaper for craft beer breweries to open tasting rooms.

“It’s a big benefit for the beer community,” said Mike Hess, owner of Hess Brewing Co. in the Miramar neighborhood of San Diego.

The unanimous vote sent the bill to Gov. Jerry Brown, who prefers pinot grigio over pale ale. He has not taken a position.

Current law bars breweries from opening a tasting room unless the facility meets all of the more-stringent health and safety codes that govern restaurants and food production facilities. Those include cleaning equipment, certain types of flooring, sinks, paint, plumbing and other measures.

If signed into law, the measure would change that so that craft beer makers are exempt as long as food is not served. That also will put breweries on an even keel with wineries, which have enjoyed an exemption from restaurant-style rules since 1985.

“There’s enough red tape and regulation,” said Hess.

Hess knows that first hand. He had to convince the San Diego County Health Department to use its discretionary powers so he could open a year ago. He can now pour samples of his Grazias, a Vienna cream ale, and Amplus Acerba, an Imperial IPA.

“We brew on site and serve the beer on site,” he said. “My business wouldn’t work if I didn’t have a tasting room.”

Hess, still reeling from his run-in with the Department of Health, contacted the office of Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, R-San Diego, to see if the law could be changed.

Dozens of other smaller brewers who now have tasting rooms dotted across the state could be at risk of being shut down without relief, Hess said.

Fletcher agreed, introducing Assembly Bill 1014.

“At a time when many small businesses are struggling it is good to see the Legislature pass a bill that will provide real regulatory relief,” Fletcher said after the Senate vote.

“This bill will save small business owners like breweries tens of thousands of dollars allowing them to grow their businesses and hire more employees,” he added.

Large breweries also stepped up support.

Stone Brewing Co. in Escondido has a tasting room as part of its restaurant, and complies with all of the health standards.

Nevertheless, Greg Koch, its chief executive officer, said the change in law will benefit the entire industry.

“Craft brewing is all about the direct connection between the brewer and the enthusiast,” Koch said.

Koch said the measure should help smaller brewers market to beer lovers, many of who would like to experience tastings long the lines of winery trails in Napa, Paso Robles and Lodi. A couple of San Diego-based businesses offer local tours already.